Gus Moratinos

Location: Fountain Valley, CA

Challenge: CMT (Charcot-Marie Tooth)

Website: facebook.com/drums11

Born in Rosario, Argentina, Gus Moratinos was drawn to the drums at the early age of six. After studying with big band drummer Jack Sweet, he began playing professionally and as been for over 35 years starting with the Broadway musical Godspell at age 13. By 14 he had already played the Hollywood Palladium with the rock band Powerage.

In the Spring of 1980, he and Dennis Churchill-Dries formed White Sister and spent the next two years playing the Hollywood club circuit as one of the most popular melodic rock acts of that era opening and playing alongside bands such as Quiet Riot, Xciter/Dokken, 707 and later Motley Crue and Ratt. He continued his studies in the late 80's at the prestigious Grove School of Music studying under Brian Conte and Chuck Silverman where he received a degree in Latin drumming and percussion.

Over the years, Gus has worked with such diverse artists as Duff McKagan (Guns & Roses, Velvet Revolver), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan, The Doobie Bros), Randy Rhoads, Corey Feldman, Maxine Nightingale & John Parr and has collaborated with members of The Doors, America, Eddie Money, WAR and Allan Holdsworth. Gus is currently working with these top Orange County and Los Angeles bands: Audio Bomb - 80's to current dance/rock songs, Project M - Old school funk and R&B, The Barcodes - Classic Rock, The Breakaways - Classic 60's Surf, The Whisky Shooters Modern Country, Coco & The Phat Cats Bebop & Vocal Jazz.

Gus was born with Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) disease. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, or CMT, is a group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. CMT is just one kind of neuropathy (also called peripheral neuropathy), meaning simply that the peripheral nerves are damaged.

CMT affects 1 in 2500 people in the U.S. although this has been a challenge, it has not stopped him from playing drums for over 40 years!!!

Gus uses Gig Grips. They are rubber grips for drumsticks. Gus adds "My CMT affects my hands and I've gotten to where I can do without for a while, but not for a 4 hour gig. I love them. What's great about these is that I don't have to worry about holding on to sticks and losing focus. I can just relax and play".

Gus says "I'm proud to be a part of musicians that despite disabilities, can rock like anybody else!!"

Gus Moratinos w/ Kelle Rhoads - Kelly Garni - Randy Chambers @ The Whisky